The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that more than 2,400 people, including the commander, had surrendered from the steelworks where Ukrainian troops were based in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine, and declared control of the entire Mariupol.
On the other hand, tensions with Europe and the United States are increasing as Finland and Sweden in Scandinavia are strengthening their military units in western Russia as a countermeasure against NATO's application for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Russia's Ministry of Defense, aiming for complete control of the two eastern Ukrainian states, said on the 20th that 2439 people, including the commander, were armed from the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works, where Ukrainian troops were based, in Mariupol, a strategic point in Donetsk Oblast. He claimed to have abandoned and surrendered, and announced that he was "under full control of the Russian army."
On top of that, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to President Putin that he had taken control of the steelworks and seized control of the entire Mariupol.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also said at a meeting within the ministry that the fighting was coming to an end, saying that "the liberation of the state will be achieved soon".
In response, a Ukrainian Ministry of Defense spokesman said on the 20th, "The Ukrainian army is conducting defense operations and causing great damage to the enemy in terms of personnel and equipment," the day before the Russian army in the two eastern states. He said that he had stopped the invasion by repelling 14 times in total and destroying 8 tanks.
Meanwhile, on the 18th of this month, both Finland and Sweden in Scandinavia applied for NATO membership, but Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said, "The two countries have applied for membership, and we are nervous in the area in charge of the Western Military District of Russia. In response to this situation, Russia plans to improve its unit composition and form 12 units in the Western Military District by the end of the year, "said Russia, which borders European countries to counter NATO. Unveiled plans to build up Western troops.
Under these circumstances, in Finland, the state-owned gas company Gazprom announced on the 20th that the supply of natural gas from Russia will be suspended from the 21st, and Russia's largest government-affiliated gas company Gazprom has also notified the Finnish side of the suspension of supply. I made it clear.
In Finland, the supply of electricity from Russia has also stopped altogether, and it is believed that there is potential for retaliation for NATO's application for membership.
Russia has strongly criticized the Western side for accelerating military aid to Ukraine, but now there is growing tension with the West.